Sam Tri Kieu

Sam Tri Kieu, age 88, born September 6, 1935, in Sontay, Northern Vietnam, who resided in Mason, MI for 32 years and in Kissimmee, FL for 15 years, passed away surrounded by family in Hudsonville, Michigan on December 24. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Suong Luong Kieu; six children: Ngoc Hong Kieu (Kelly Wessell), Lac Tri Kieu (Sarah), Tam Tri Kieu (Kristi), Anton Kieu (Phuong), Anna Kieu-Southwell (Darin), John Nam Kieu (Katelyn); 16 grandchildren; sister, Xuyen (Son), brother, Hoat (Nga); nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ich Tri Kieu and Dan Thi Nguyen; sister, Luu Thi Kieu; nephew, Anh Nguyen. Sam worked as an Accountant Supervisor for the US Army in their Finance Division in South Vietnam and retired from General Motors after 20 years to start a Dry Cleaning/ Alternations business with his wife. Sam was an avid lover of classical music. Sam had many loves that we all remember: the PBS channel, salted nuts (especially pistachios), nature, Big Mac and fries, sweet treats, good conversation, wine, cognac, Budweiser, Heineken, always looking dapper in suits and ties, keeping his shoes polished, and crossword puzzles. He always critiqued everything/anything we did, waking up his children with his hair or pulling the blankets off of us, a real jokester, always sweeping the floor, a real life “Vietnamese MacGyver,” and cutting his or anyone’s hair, he was always a handsome man. He enjoyed newspaper clippings that sent a message (they covered our refrigerator), enjoyed steak with ketchup, writing his name on everything, getting us out in the freezing cold and snow to take pictures without our coats on, calligraphy, polishing the furniture, pointing and gesturing instead of just telling us what to do. He was always willing to try anything…parasailing, snake around the neck, hopping on a motorcycle. He seemed to have no fear and was always calm and collected in public. He was loved by many and will be missed. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 30, 2023, at Our Lady of LaVang Church, 2019 Porter St. SW, Wyoming, with Rev. Victor Ky Nam presiding. Relatives and friends may meet the family Friday, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home, 2371 Riley St., Hudsonville. A rosary service will be held Friday during the 6-8 p.m. visitation.